Imagine a world without empathy. Empathy is heartbreaking, you experience other people’s pain and joy. Sympathy is said to be a bit less challenging, you just have to feel sorry for someone. Pity is defined as the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering and misfortune of others or pity is a cause for regret or disappointment. Fintan O’Toole is an Irish Times columnist and happens to have duel citizenship in Ireland and the USA. O’Toole has that distinctive brogue and Irish twinkle in his eye. The message in his recent article and later in an interview asserts that his Irish countrymen are “genuinely feeling pity for the U. S. because Trump’s mixed messaging and lack of leadership has made the U. S. the epicenter of the pandemic. O’Toole goes on to suggest the world has never seen a leader who has been active spreading a deadly virus… When you consider the fanciful thinking in regard to the eradication of the virus, the promotion of untested and potentially dangerous drugs, whether in jest or not, the internal cleansing with disinfectant and the magic of blue light, it is difficult to argue that O’Toole is wrong. “Imbleach” Trump got the banner headline in the Irish press this week and it is very sad to see our countries well earned “beacon of freedom” so thoroughly diminished. It is easy to complain or utilize the tactics of our leader and blame everyone else, accept no responsibility, deflect, deny and embrace false hope for a miracle cure. In a recent USA Today/Suffolk University poll, 31% of registered voters thought our fearless leader was “honest and trustworthy”, seems like those two character traits should be non negotiable for the President of the country and the leader of the free world.
The Dalai Lama has noted the need for “emotional disarmament” to try and see things realistically and clearly without the confusion of fear or rage. “Only by coming together with a global response will we meet the magnitude of the challenges we face.” “At this time of uncertainty it is important to not lose hope and confidence in the constructive efforts so many are making.” Nobel Peace Prize recipient, Mikhail Gorbachev, is credited with promoting peaceful diplomacy that ultimately led to the end of the Cold War. “The overriding goal must be human security; providing food, water and a clean environment and caring for people’s health.” Gorbachev believes that the United Nations General Assembly should convenes as soon as the corona virus pandemic is stabilized, to revisit the global agenda. The goal would be a first step to demilitarization and as a way forward to a new consciousness, a new civilization.
The investment in the Border Wall has done nothing to stop the biggest threat to our country, a silent air borne virus that can put a stop to economic activity and put a tragic end to the lives of over 60,000 Americans. This is truly a test of our ability to unite against a common enemy. Our health care workers have proven invaluable as the front line of defense. Lets not forget about the domestic workforce who provide service every day to our country and most often without the ability to work from home. They are over 90% women and are the nannies, home care providers for the aged and infirm, and those who clean our homes and sanitize our hospitals.Today Idaho Gives is concluding the first week of their important fund raising effort for Idaho not for profits. Week one resulted in $1.75 million dollars going directly to those entities who provide service for many of Idaho’s children and families. Please join us in going to their website, www.idahononprofits.org and help fund our critical not for profits through these vary challenging times.Stay well and be safe. Mike